Update on the Mysterious ‘Zebra Tang’ from Bali Aquarich

News from the Mysterious Zebra Tang:

Last weekend we returned to Bali Aquarich to check on this fish again, and we have to say it’s still stunning but are even more confused on a tentative ID for this specimen. We still think it’s an accidental hybrid cross of Z. scopas x Z. xanthurum, which would explain the vertical lines of juvenile Scopas tang and the yellow tail of Z. xanthurum. But this explanation doesn’t exactly fit what we’re currently seeing in the yellow dorsal and anal fin, although some Yellow Scopas tangs are occasionally found in the wild.

The mysterious Zebra Tang is stunning!

Compared to one month ago, a lot of the original blue/purple coloration disappeared, to leave a more dominant yellow coloration bringing even more confusion into the identification process. Could this fish have some yellow tang genetics in it? It’s possible as the spawning pool contains some Zebrasoma flavescens. This fish currently still holds a juvenile coloration, and we hope that when the mature colors develop, it will make identification of its pedigree somewhat easier.

At the moment, Mr Su doesn’t want to sell it, as he can’t be 100% sure of what it exactly is, but maybe when the process is over, he will change is mind.

African Angel is also coming up from this part of the world:

It’s an interesting coincidence that the same species spawn about the same time, in two opposite parts of the world. We saw also some cute Centropyge joculator together with the Flame-Back.

2 different stages of African Flame-back, note the lateral spot.Centropyge joculator on top of Centropyge acantops

Finally at Bali Aquarich we also spotted a lonely Paracanthurus hepatus that was raised with some Purple tangs. As the Purple tangs are quite aggressive, this cute blue tang is holding on before colouring up, and we can see the last larval stage, with the characteristic black marking on the tail.

A blue tang larvae about to color up.Pool full of Purple tangs, almost ready to ship out.

Vincent is a coral passionate aquarist with extensive experience in the industry, travelling the world to learn about corals. His background is a master degree in Marine Aquaculture. He set up the first Indonesian Coral mariculture farms at the beginning of the century and spent over 20 years in Indonesia running them. He's been extensively diving and documenting corals all over the Indo-Pacific.